AC Schnitzer Reveals 2012 BMW 650i Coupe

2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe

Looking to offer enthusiasts more options for customizing the new 2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe, AC Schnitzer will unveil its new tuning program for the 650i at this week's 2011 Essen Motor Show in Germany.
Dubbed the ACS6 5.0i, the package includes a performance upgrade with unspecified modifications for the 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine that help lift output from 407HP to 540-horses.

AC Schnitzer claims that the ACS6 5.0i passes the 100km/h (62mph) yardstick in 4.3 seconds after take-off, compare to the standard model's time of 4.9 seconds.

The tune continues with a lowered sports suspension, a new exhaust system and a beefier brake system with 8-piston calipers.

For the exterior, AC Schnitzer has designed a new front apron, a chromed front grille and matching fender trim pieces, a boot lid spoiler, and a rear apron that incorporates a diffuser. The ACS6 5.0i rides on new lightweight 21-inch wheels that the German tuner says are 30% lighter than the factory 20-inch rims tipping the scales at just 11.5kg (25.3 pounds).

On the inside, AC Schnitzer's package includes a sports steering wheel, aluminum pedals and new trim accents.

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The Newly enhanced S1000RRmark II from BMW

 S1000RRmark II from BMW

BMW's S1000RR superbike impressed many the first time round, now the German manufacturer has announced the S1000RR mark II. Power and maximum torque figures remain at 142 kW (193 hp) and 112 Nm on the revised superbike with the mostly subtle changes centered on improving response, power delivery and handling. The torque curve, throttle response and suspension have all been tweaked along with the (very effective) ABS and Dynamic Traction Control systems. Externally, the 2012 SS1000RR gets an upgraded instrument cluster, revised rear-end, redesigned side panels with the addition of two winglets for improved aerodynamics and a new range of colors.
The S 1000 RR has has wasted no time populating the trophy cabinet since its release in 2009, winning 13 titles and over 120 race victories in superstock and superbike championships during its first full year of competition. BMW Motorrad, which offers a support service to customers who want take the S1000RR racing, says feedback from the track played a major role in the bike's overhaul.
"We listen very closely to our racing colleagues in many teams, especially the BMW Motorrad Italia superstock team or the IDM Team BMW Motorrad Wilbers Suspension," said RR Product Manager Sepp Mächler." We help these teams out and they give us quick and reliable feedback, which helps reduce development times."

Here's a run down on the key changes:

* reconfigured throttle with 25% less twisting force and tighter twistgrip for improved response

* more linear torque curve and expansion from two to three performance curves (one each for Rain and Sport modes and an additional one for Race and Slick modes); Rain mode now 120 kW (163 hp)

* enhanced tuning between Race ABS and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)

* final drive now 17/45 (was 17/44)

* modified steering head angle, swing arm pivot position, fork projection, and rear shock absorber length

* new internal structure for upside down fork and the rear shock absorber

* new mechanical steering damper adjustable over ten levels

* leaner tail section, modified stainless steel exhaust system, larger intake air guide, redesigned side panels, side aperture grilles and winglets

* revised LCD instrument cluster easier to read rev counter, five dimming levels and additional functions such as "Best lap in progress" and "Speedwarning"

* revised RR logo

* new color variants: plain Racing Red with Alpine white, Bluefire, Sapphire black metallic, BMW Motorrad

   Motorsport

The revised BMW S1000RR was shown this month at EICMA in Italy and is set for release in January 2012.

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BMW Concept e electro-scooter looks the real deal

BMW looks set to become the first of the recognized motorcycle brands to begin leveraging the unique advantages of the motorcycle in addressing the quickly changing landscape of urban mobility.
The Flying Propeller brand is to create a specialist "Urban Mobility" group, launch two premium, high-performance twin-cylinder maxi scooters before the end of the year, and will unveil a concept electro-scooter later today. Using the large volume of enclosed body space of a maxi scooter to contain all the necessaries, the 60 volt Concept e has a 100 kilometer (62 mile) range, recharges from flat inside three hours at a domestic power point, and the performance of a maxi scooter (expected to be equivalent to a 400-500cc commuter motorcycle).

The Concept e will be the first volume production two-wheeler without rear vision mirrors - twin rear-facing video cameras relay what's happening behind the vehicle to two LCD monitors in the cockpit.
The BMW Motorrad brand might only have sold 110,000 two-wheelers in the last year, but its premium values and the foresight of the brand's designers and custodians augers extremely well for the future, as can be seen by the Concept e electro-scooter which will break cover later this week in Frankfurt. At the same time the flying propeller is forcing its way to the forefront of enthusiast motorcycling, it has also superbly positioned itself to take two wheeled transport to the masses.

BMW Motorrad is to establish a new "Urban Mobility" group and will launch two premium, high-performance twin-cylinder maxi scooters before the end of the year. If the Concept e is any indication, we're going to see some very futuristic and environmentally-friendly two-wheelers in the near future.
Given that the Japanese have done almost nothing to retain their once-dominant share of the electric two wheel market, it's great that one of the established motorcycle brands is on the move.

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Special Cars/BMW 335d Sedan

Get great gas milage and all the performance, refinement, and race-ready handling you expect from a Bimmer with the BMW 335d Sedan ($43,900 and up). Featuring a 3.0L, turbocharged inline six advanced diesel engine, good for 265 hp and 36 mpg on highway, the 335d also features niceties like an onboard navigation system with traffic alerts, BMW Assist with Bluetooth, iPod/iPhone integration, run-flat tires, and more.

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Special Cars/2012 BMW M5

The king of the luxury supersedans is back. Sporting an all-new twin-turbo V8 good for 560hp, a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds and an optional top speed of 190, the 2012 BMW M5 ($TBA) is ready to get you and up to four passengers to your destination in comfort and style — quickly. Other features include a new body treatment, electronics galore, a seven-speed double clutch transmission, 19-inch light alloy M-exclusive wheels, and — thankfully — astonishingly high 28.5 mpg fuel economy.

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BMW's Electric and Plug-In Cars Revealed

BMW revealed two new electric, hybrid, and range-extended models -- the BMW i3 electric car and the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid -- at a special press conference in Frankfurt earlier today.

GreenCarReports editor John Voelcker is there, and he's managed to snap some up-close shots of the "Drive" powertrains of these vehicles, along with their advanced "Life" carbon-fiber bodies, which would have the most extensive use of carbon fiber in a mainstream, relatively affordable vehicle yet.

BMW i3

The rear-wheel-drive i3, which appears to be chasing the Nissan Leaf, albeit in a higher price bracket, has its 170-hp motor system mounted in back, under the cargo area. Range is an estimated 93 miles, and BMW claims that with quick charging it can get back to 80-percent charge in less than an hour.

Both models have been teased for years -- the i3 as the Megacity EV, and the i8 as Vision EfficientDynamics design study vehicles.

In the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports coupe, the battery pack fits into the drive tunnel, with a new 1.5-liter, three-cylinder, direct-injected version of BMW's new modular engine family mounted in front, hooked to a yet-unidentified dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Especially noteworthy is that even this model has an electric-only mode that will last up to 20 miles.

BMW i8

But that's not all; BMW announced plans to offer the range-extending option, called REx, in the i3, though the range-extended model would have a range greater than that of the Chevrolet Volt.

There's still no word on pricing, which could be the key to the i3's success if BMW builds them in the volumes it's anticipating.

Though still technically concepts, both models could closely reflect what we might see on streets between a year and two years from now. See these posts at All Cars Electric for more details on the BMW i3 electric car and i8 plug-in hybrid, and stay tuned for a more in-depth technical analysis and other updates regarding both models; and in the meantime, click through the images in the gallery

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